The King of Fighters XIV
- August 23, 2016
- 18h median play time
Released on PlayStation 4 last year to critical acclaim, The King of Fighters XIV didn’t get the attention it deserved from the general public.
The King of Fighters saga continues with an epic new story! With one of the biggest rosters ever and 50 characters ready to clash, create the perfect team in the classic 3-on-3 battle system. Burn to Fight!
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features a huge roster of over 50 unique characters, providing ample variety and entertainment for players.
- KOF XIV is accessible for newcomers while still offering depth and complexity for veteran players, making it enjoyable for all skill levels.
- The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with a variety of modes including Story, Arcade, and Versus, along with a solid soundtrack and impressive stage designs.
- The story mode is shallow and lacks depth, with minimal narrative content and cutscenes.
- Graphics are considered dated and do not meet current-gen standards, which may detract from the overall visual experience.
- Online play can be inconsistent, with reports of lag and difficulty finding matches, impacting the multiplayer experience.
- story32 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story mode is generally considered underwhelming, functioning more as an arcade mode with minimal narrative content and only a few cutscenes, primarily surrounding the final boss, Verse. While some players appreciate the high production values and find the individual team stories interesting, many feel that the overall storytelling lacks depth and variety. Despite its shortcomings, the gameplay remains enjoyable for casual players, who can still have fun with the characters they love.
“It also has high production values, a new thing for KOF, and the story for each team is actually interesting.”
“There are unique story slide shows at the end for the particular team you choose.”
“While becoming proficient takes time, a casual player will enjoy the story, survival, and versus mode well enough.”
“The nearly nonexistent story mode is an arcade mode with three short cutscenes.”
“The only one with any story-related content is before and after the final boss named Verse.”
“Improvements could have been made in other areas, such as the weak story and presentation (menus and models).”
- graphics26 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The King of Fighters XIV" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not on par with current-gen standards, they are still visually appealing and have improved following a recent patch. Some describe the visuals as reminiscent of Dreamcast-era graphics with modern shaders, and while the graphics may not impress everyone, the engaging gameplay and accessibility compensate for their shortcomings. Overall, the visuals are considered decent but not groundbreaking, with some players feeling nostalgic for the series' classic 2D style.
“The artwork is quality, presenting high speed and no frame drops.”
“There was recently a patch for the artwork, so it's really good now.”
“It is certainly an upgrade on the last game, with upgraded visuals, a cool story mode, depth of characters, and great locations being the main boasting point.”
“Graphics are like...dreamcast HD with new shaders.”
“The king of fighters XIV is a solid comeback for the series, and the generally subpar 3D visuals are quickly gotten used to after a few minutes with the game.”
“Dated graphics and dodgy netcode slow King of Fighters XIV down a bit, but it's still a deep, rewarding fighter.”
- gameplay22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is praised for its accessibility to newcomers while still offering depth for experienced players, featuring fast combos and a fun invincible "roll" mechanic. With a roster of over 50 unique characters, the game encourages players to master multiple fighters and provides a variety of modes and content to explore. Although the graphics may not be the best, the gameplay is described as tight, technical, and rich, making it a solid contender in the fighting game genre.
“The combos are fast, the invincible 'roll' mechanic is a lot of fun, and inputs aren't too difficult (except for some of the climax supers). This game has a huge roster (something like 50+ characters), but all of the characters are unique in both design and gameplay.”
“The proof is in the pudding; the same classic 2D fighting gameplay KOF has been renowned for is meaty, with plenty of depth for series veterans to work with, an easier time for newcomers looking to get into it, enough modes for both solo and online players, a supersized character roster, and plenty to unlock in terms of artwork, music, and more.”
“The gameplay is deep should players want to explore it and friendly to newcomers just jumping on with the series.”
“As far as gameplay is involved, this is very execution heavy, so those flashy combos you see people pull off will take some serious practice (+100 hrs in and still getting the hang of the game).”
“El juego llegó en perfectas condiciones, es un excelente juego de peleas, comparando con sus competidores no es tan buen competidor, dado que Street Fighter V tiene innovación en su gameplay y estrategias, BlazBlue está en los que Street Fighter tiene innovación en los movimientos de los personajes, etc. Sin embargo, KOF XIV no se presenta un gran cambio en los personajes a excepción de los nuevos luchadores.”
“The graphics and gameplay are ok.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, with many users describing the soundtrack as "hype," "epic," and "kick ass." Reviewers appreciate the quality of the original soundtrack (OST) and note that it complements the smooth character animations and impressive backgrounds. Overall, the music enhances the gaming experience, making it a standout feature of the title.
“The soundtrack is pretty epic.”
“Awesome game, a sweet amount of characters, and a kick-ass soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic and the net code is far improved over its predecessor.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a diverse roster of characters, both classic and contemporary, and includes a variety of modes that enhance gameplay. Players particularly enjoy the humorous pre-fight banter, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
“The game features a hugely diverse roster of both old and new characters, along with a plethora of modes and humorous pre-fight banter that keeps the experience entertaining.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game add a delightful layer of humor that makes every match enjoyable.”
“I love how the characters have their own unique comedic styles, making each encounter feel fresh and funny.”
Critic Reviews
The King of Fighters XIV Review
The King of Fighters XIV is a solid comeback for the series, and the generally subpar 3D visuals are quickly gotten used to after a few minutes with the game. The proof is in the pudding; the same classic 2D fighting gameplay KOF has been renowned for is meaty, with plenty of depth for series vets to work with, an easier time for newcomers looking to get into it, enough modes for both solo and online players, a supersized character roster, and plenty to unlock in terms of artwork, music and more. Improvements could have been made in other areas, such as the weak story and presentation (menus and models), but more importantly, KOF XIV should have some great competitive legs, and deservedly so.
70%Invite Within, Black Tie Optional
The King of Fighters XIV is a solid entry that’s sure to be played in tournaments for the next couple of years and establishes a foundation for newcomers to pick up a controller and learn what the hype is about.
82%The King of Fighters XIV Review
It's perhaps disingenuous to claim that King of Fighters XIV marks a glorious return to form akin to that of Street Fighter IV, because the more recent 2D instalments in SNK's franchise have been excellent examples of technical fighting brilliance. What the fourteenth entry in this esteemed franchise does is lay down the foundations for future sequels which will – thanks to the relentless march of technology – use 3D models instead of handdrawn sprites. While King of Fighters XIV looks positively shabby when placed alongside Street Fighter V, it arguably offers more depth and variety. The three-person mechanic encourages players to master more than one fighter, and the cast – while perhaps not as instantly-recognisable as the likes of Ryu, Chun-Li, and Blanka – has something for every type of player. Ironically, the biggest sticking point with King of Fighters XIV is the one aspect designed to make it more appealing to outsiders; the new "Rush" mode allows even complete newbies to look like combo-crunching experts, but it's likely to divide opinion with serious players who prefer to rely on their own skill and knowledge when it comes to unlocking the game's most potent moves. Even so, this single concession to a mainstream audience is easy to forgive when taken as part of a package which rewards methodical, technical play in a way that no other fighting game does.
70%
